Monitoring and adjusting transmit power level(s) in a communications system

ABSTRACT

A method and an apparatus is provided for monitoring and adjusting a power level of a transmitting component. The method comprises receiving a request from a remote unit to provide a power level associated with a transmitting component, wherein the request is transmitted over a communications protocol. The method includes measuring a power level of a signal provided by the transmitting component in response to receiving the request from the remote unit, and providing the measured power level to the remote unit over the communications protocol.

“This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/645,807, filed on Aug. 21, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,769,406 hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a communications system, and, moreparticularly, to monitoring and adjusting the transmit power level ofone or more channels (e.g., the paging, synchronization, pilot, andtraffic channels) of the communications system.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the field of wireless telecommunications, such as cellular telephony,a system typically includes a plurality of base stations that arestrategically distributed within an area to communicate with users.Various users within the area, fixed or mobile, may then access thesystem and, thus, other interconnected telecommunications systems, viaone or more of the base stations. Typically, a mobile user maintainscommunications with the system as the user passes through an area bycommunicating with one and then another base station, as the user moves.The user may communicate with the closest base station, the base stationwith the strongest signal, the base station with a capacity sufficientto accept communications, etc. Thus, the base stations play a key rolefor wireless communications.

To maintain a high level of performance, the remotely situated basestations are periodically serviced by technicians. For example, thetechnicians may perform a power calibration procedure on the basestation to ensure that the transmit power levels of the various channels(e.g., pilot, paging, synch, traffic) are at the desired levels. Thecalibration procedures may be performed for a variety of reasons. Forexample, calibration may be desired if one or more radio frequency (RF)components in the transmit path of the base station are replaced, iftransmit power problems are suspected, or if routine maintenance isperformed.

Performing power calibration, however, requires a considerable amount ofresources and time. The existing calibration procedure requires thetechnicians to drive to the remote location of the base station and thento perform a variety of time-consuming, manual calibration steps. Forexample, the technician first needs to prepare the power meter testequipment, which may include selecting an appropriate power meter out ofmany available meters for a given base station, reading the technicalmanual associated with the selected power meter to gain an understandingof the features of that meter, and initializing the power meter (e.g.,warming the meter for stabilization) so that an accurate power readingcan be taken. Once the power meter is prepared, the techniciandisconnects a jumper cable from an antenna port of the base station, andthen attaches an attenuator and the power meter to the antenna port.

Once the attenuator and the power meter are connected, the techniciancan measure the power level of one or more components (e.g., radiomodule) of the base station. However, before measuring a power level ofa particular component of the base station, the technician, as part ofthe calibration process, may need to turn off other transmittingcomponents in the base station to reduce interference. Once the powerlevel is measured, the technician then determines if the measured powerlevel is within an acceptable range based on, for example, an acceptablerange defined by the base station's specification. If the measured powerlevel is not at a desired level (i.e., calibration is required), thetechnician manually adjusts the power level of the base stationcomponent until the transmit power is at the desired level.

The above-described calibration procedure can be time consuming, in partbecause the calibration procedure requires one or more technicians to goto the physical location of the base station to be serviced and becauseof the various, laborious manual calibration steps involved. The manualcalibration steps can not only be time consuming but can also be proneto errors because of the excessive reliance on human intervention. Ifproper care is not taken, mistakes or errors made during the calibrationprocedure can damage valuable test equipment, such as power meters. Forexample, a power meter may be damaged if a technician fails to attach anattenuator before connecting the power meter to the antenna port.Similarly, other electronic components of the base station or testequipment may also be damaged if proper care is not exercised, resultingin the loss of valuable equipment and increasing costs for the serviceprovider.

The present invention is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing,the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for monitoring apower level is provided. The method comprises receiving a request from aremote unit to provide a power level associated with a transmittingcomponent, wherein the request is transmitted over a communicationsprotocol. The method includes measuring a power level of a signalprovided by the transmitting component in response to receiving therequest from the remote unit, and providing the measured power level tothe remote unit over the communications protocol.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, an article comprisingone or more machine-readable storage media containing instructions tomonitor and adjust a power level of a component. The one or moreinstructions, when executed, enable the processor to receive a requestfrom a remote unit to indicate a power level of a signal provided by atransmitting component, determine a power level of the signal inresponse to receiving the request from the remote unit, determine if themeasured power level is at an acceptable level, and adjust a power levelof an output signal provided by the transmitting component by apreselected level in response to determining that the measured powerlevel is not at the acceptable level.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for monitoringa power level is provided. The apparatus includes an interface adaptedto receive a request from a remote unit to adjust a transmit power levelof a first component of a base station. The apparatus includes a controlunit communicatively coupled to the interface. The control unit isadapted to determine a power level of an output signal of the firstcomponent in response to the request and to provide the determined powerlevel of the output signal of the first component to the remote unit.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a communicationssystem is provided. The communications system comprises a remote unitadapted to provide a request to calibrate a transmit power level. Thecommunications system comprises a base station that is communicativelycoupled to the remote unit over a communications protocol. The basestation is adapted to receive the request, measure a power level of asignal provided by a transmitting component, and determine if themeasured power level is at an acceptable level. The base station isfurther adapted to adjust a power level of an output signal provided bythe transmitting component by a preselected level in response todetermining that the measured power level is not at the acceptablelevel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be understood by reference to the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communications system, in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of a base station that may be employed inthe communications system of FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a power monitor and adjustmentmodule that may be implemented in the base station of FIG. 2, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method that may be implemented in thecommunications system of FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by wayof example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It shouldbe understood, however, that the description herein of specificembodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particularforms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In theinterest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation aredescribed in this specification. It will of course be appreciated thatin the development of any such actual embodiment, numerousimplementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve thedevelopers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effortmight be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routineundertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure.

Turning now to the drawings, and specifically referring to FIG. 1, acommunications system 100 is illustrated, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. For illustrative purposes, thecommunications system 100 of FIG. 1 is a Code Division Multiple Access(CDMA) system, although it should be understood that the presentinvention may be applicable to other systems that support voice and/ordata communication. CDMA is a “spread spectrum” technology, allowingmany users to occupy the same time and frequency allocations in a givenband/space. As its name implies, CDMA assigns unique codes to eachcommunication to differentiate it from others in the same spectrum. CDMAincludes second generation (2G) and third generation (3G) services. 2GCDMA standards are commonly known as CDMAONE and include the IS-95A andIS-95B standards. Two dominant standards for 3G services includeCDMA2000 and wideband CDMA (CDMA2000 represents a family of technologiesthat includes CDMA2000-1X and CDMA2000-1xEV).

The communications system 100 includes a mobile services switchingcenter (MSSC) 110 that supports voice and/or data services through abase station 111. The MSSC 110 may be coupled to the base station 111via an interface 112 by a connection 114, which may be a wirelessconnection or a wired connection, such as T1 and/or E1 lines orcircuits, ATM circuits, cables, and optical digital subscriber lines(DSLs). For ease of illustration, only one base station 111 isillustrated, although it should be understood that the MSSC 110 maycommunicate with more than one base station 111.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, and asdescribed in greater detail below, the MSSC 110 includes a remotecontrol terminal 113 that monitors and calibrates the transmit power ofone or more components (e.g., radio module) of the base station 111.While the remote control terminal 113 is located at the MSSC 110 in theillustrated embodiment, it should be appreciated that in an alternativeembodiment, the remote control terminal 113 may be located in any otherdesirable location. In one embodiment, the ability to remotely calibratethe transmit power reduces the need for dispatching technicians to thephysical location of the base station 111.

Any acceptable protocol may be utilized for communications between theremote control terminal 113 and the base station 111. For example, inone embodiment, the High-level Data Link Control (HDLC) protocol may beemployed to transmit data packets to and from the remote controlterminal 113 and the base station 111. The HDLC protocol was developedby the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 3309).

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the MSSC 110 comprises anexecutive cellular processor module 115, a digital cellular switch 120,one or more instances of radio cluster server (RCS) applications 130executing on one or more application processors (AP) 135. The executivecellular processor module 115, in one embodiment, contains informationused by the MSSC 110 to process calls, make service measurements, andprovide Automatic Message Accounting (AMA). The digital cellular switch120, in one embodiment, manages the connectivity between the basestation 111 and the various communication networks. Depending on theimplementation, the communications networks may include CDMA, AdvancedMobile Phone Service (AMPS), Global System for Mobile communication(GSM), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), and the like. The digitalcellular switch 120 may also support landline Plain Old TelephoneService (POTS), intelligent networks, operator services, DS1 facilities,and the like.

In the illustrated embodiment, the application processor (AP) 135 is acentral processing unit (CPU) that provides generic computing facilitiesto host a wide range of applications in the communications system 100.The AP 135 performs call processing, administration, and maintenancefunctions for the base station 111. In one embodiment, the AP 135provides an integrated high-availability hardware and software platformthat offers increased reliability, availability, and maintainability forits subtending network elements.

It is noted that the illustrated configuration of the MSSC 110 isexemplary in nature, and that in other embodiments, the MSSC 110 mayinclude additional, fewer, or different components, based on theparticular implementation. For example, the MSSC 110 may include anoperational management platform (not shown) that allows multiple usersto access selected interface functions supported by the executivecellular processor module 115. As another example, the MSSC 110 mayinclude an interprocess message switch (not shown) that provides thephysical terminals of the data links utilized for the exchange of callprocessing and maintenance messaging. Similarly, other arrangements maybe possible without deviating from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

The base station 111, in the illustrated embodiment, includes one ormore antennas 145 and a power monitor and adjustment (PMA) module 150that is responsive to requests from the remote control terminal 113 ofthe MSSC 110 to provide information regarding the transmit power levelassociated with one or more components of the base station 111. If it isdetermined that the power level is not at the desired level, atechnician can utilize the remote control terminal 113 to adjust thepower level from the mobile services switching center 110. The processof monitoring and adjusting the power level is described in greaterdetail below.

In the communications system 100 of FIG. 1, the MSSC 110 supports voiceand/or data communications. In particular, the MSSC 110 allows one ormore access terminals 155 to communicate with a public switchedtelephone network (PSTN) 160 and/or a data network 165, such as theInternet, through one or more base stations 111. The access terminal 155may include one of a variety of devices, including cellular phones,personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptops, digital pagers, wirelesscards, and any other device capable of accessing the PSTN 160 and/ordata network 165 through the base station 111.

The data network 165 may be a packet-switched data network, such as adata network according to the Internet Protocol (IP). One version of IPis described in Request for Comments (RFC) 791, entitled “InternetProtocol,” dated September 1981. Other versions of IP, such as IPv6, orother connectionless, packet-switched standards may also be utilized infurther embodiments. A version of IPv6 is described in RFC 2460,entitled “Internet Protocol, Version 6 (IPv6) Specification,” datedDecember 1998. The data network 165 may also include other types ofpacket-based data networks in further embodiments. Examples of suchother packet-based data networks include Asynchronous Transfer Mode(ATM), Frame Relay networks, and the like.

As utilized herein, a “data network” may refer to one or morecommunication networks, channels, links, or paths, and systems ordevices (such as routers) used to route data over such networks,channels, links, or paths.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, or as is apparent from thediscussion, terms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating”or “determining” or “displaying” or the like, refer to the action andprocesses of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device,that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical, electronicquantities within the computer system's registers and memories intoother data similarly represented as physical quantities within thecomputer system's memories or registers or other such informationstorage, transmission or display devices.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a base station 200 that maybe employed in the communications system 100 of FIG. 1 is illustrated,in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The basestation 200 is one embodiment of the base station 111 of FIG. 1. In theillustrated embodiment, the base station 200 includes three cell modules210(1-3), although in alternative embodiments, the base station 200 mayinclude fewer or additional cell modules 210, depending on theimplementation. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the cellmodules 210(1-3), collectively, represent a three-carrier/three-sectorconfiguration. If a configuration with additional carriers and sectorsis desired, then additional cell modules 210 may be employed. Forexample, if a six-carrier and six-sector configuration is desired, thensix cell modules 210 may be utilized. Similarly, if fewer carriers andsectors are desired, then fewer cell modules 210 can be employed.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cell modules 210(1-3) include a CDMARadio Controller (CRC) 215, where the CRC 215 handles the HDLC protocolprocessing of packet pipes and signaling links, as well as handlesmaintenance and call processing functions. If desired, each cell module210 may include an additional CRC 215 to provide redundancy.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cell modules 210(1-3) include a CDMAchannel unit (CCU) 220, where the CCU 220 supports a plurality ofchannel elements and provides channel coding and decoding functions forselected channels (e.g., pilot, synchronization, paging, access, trafficchannels). A pilot channel can be utilized by an access terminal 155(see FIG. 1) to establish communication with the base station 200, asynchronization channel may be utilized by an access terminal 155 toacquire initial time synchronization, a paging channel can be utilizedby the base station 200 to transmit system overhead information andpages to an access terminal 155. An access channel may be utilized bythe access device 155 to transmit various types of messages to the basestation 200, and a traffic channel is utilized to transmit voice and/ordata.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the cell modules 210(1-3) of thebase station 200 includes one or more CDMA baseband radios (CBRs)225(1-3). Generally, for the transmit path, the CBR 225 receives asignal from the CCU 220, filters the received signal and converts it toanalog form, and then modulates the analog signal onto an IntermediateFrequency (IF) carrier for additional filtering, gain, and frequencyup-conversion. For the received path, the CBR 225 downcoverts thereceived signals (two diversity signals), converts the received signalsto digital form, and performs automatic gain control on the signals, andprovides the signals to the CCU 220 for decoding.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the amountof attenuation provided by the CBR 225 for the transmit path isadjustable. Thus, in one embodiment, the CBR 225 can provide apreselected amount of transmit power attenuation in preselectedincrements. For example, the CBR 225 may provide up to 12 dB of transmitpower attenuation, in 0.5 dB increments.

As noted, the cell modules 210(1-3) of the base station 200 represent athree-carrier, three-sector configuration. Each cell module 210represents a carrier. Thus, the first cell module 210(1) supportscommunication over a first carrier frequency, the second cell module210(2) supports communication over a second carrier frequency, and thethird cell module 210(3) supports communication over a third carrierfrequency. Each CBR 225 of a given cell module 210 represents onesector. For example, the first, second, and third CBR 225(1-3) of thefirst cell module 210(1) may represent the alpha, beta, and gammasector, respectively.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, the first CBR 225(1) of eachcell module 210(1-3) is coupled to the amplifier 230 of the first cellmodule 210(1), the second CBR 225(2) of each cell module 210(1-3) iscoupled to the amplifier 230 of the second cell module 210(2), and thethird CBR 225(3) of each cell module 210(1-3) is coupled to theamplifier 230 of the third cell module 210(3). In other words, eachalpha sector CBR 225(1) is coupled to the amplifier 230 of the firstcell module 210(1), each beta sector CBR 225(2) is coupled to theamplifier 230 of the second module 210(2), and each gamma sector CBRs225(3) is coupled to the amplifier 230 of the third module 210(3). Theamplifier 230 increases the RF output power level from the CBR 225 to anoutput power level called for by a specification of the base station200.

In the illustrated embodiment, each cell module 210 includes a PMAmodule 150 that is coupled between the amplifier 230 and an antenna port248 of that cell module 210. An antenna 250 is adapted to couple each ofthe cell modules 210(1-3) through the respective antenna port 248. Inthe illustrated embodiment, each sector has an associated antenna 250.For example, the coverage for the alpha sector (i.e., the CBRs 225(1) ofthe cell modules 210(1-3)) is provided by the top antenna 250, while thecoverage for the beta sector (i.e., CBRs 225(2)) and the gamma sector(i.e., CBRs 225(3)) is provided by the respective middle and bottomantennas 250. As described in greater detail below, the PMA module 150allows a technician to control the RF transmit power levels from theremote control terminal 113 located at the MSSC 110.

It should be understood that the configuration of the base station 200of FIG. 2 is exemplary in nature, and that a variety of otherconfigurations may be employed in other embodiments. For example, in oneembodiment, a single PMA module 150 may be employed to monitor andadjust the RF transmit power. In one embodiment, the PMA module 150 maybe interconnected between the CBR 225 and the amplifier 230. In yetanother embodiment, the PMA module 150 may be utilized to control thepower levels of the various sectors (e.g., alpha, beta, gamma) for agiven carrier (in contrast to the illustrated embodiment, where one PMAmodule 150 handles all of the alpha sectors of the various carriers,another that handles all of the beta sectors of the various carriers,and so forth).

In the interest of clarity, and to avoid obscuring the invention, onlyselected components of the base station 200 are illustrated in FIG. 2.However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the base station200 may include other components. For example, the base station 200 mayinclude one or more filters to process the received signals. As anotherexample, the base station 200 may include a time and frequency unit (notshown) that synchronizes the base station 200 with other base stationsin the communications system 100 (see FIG. 1). As another example, thebase station 200 may include a power supply that provides power to thevarious components of the base station 200 that are shown in FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram of one embodiment of the PMAmodule 150 of FIG. 2 is illustrated. The PMA module 150 in theillustrated embodiment includes a control unit 310 that is responsive torequests received from the remote control terminal 113 (see FIG. 1)through the CRC 215 (see FIG. 2) via an interface 312 to monitor the RFtransmit power and, if desired, adjust the RF transmit power. In oneembodiment, the transmit power of various channels (e.g., traffic,synchronization, pilot, paging) is monitored, and, if desired,calibrated to a target level.

The PMA module 150 includes a storage unit 315 that is communicativelycoupled to the control unit 310. The PMA module 150 further includes apower monitoring module 320 and a power adjusting module 325. Althoughnot so limited, the modules 320 and 325 are implemented in software andthus storable in the storage unit 315. The acts performed by the powermonitoring module 320 and the power adjusting module 325, which areexecutable by the control unit 310, are described below.

The PMA module 150, in the illustrated embodiment, includes a switch 340having an input terminal coupled to an output terminal of the amplifier230 via the interface 312, a first output terminal coupled to theantenna port 248 and a second output terminal coupled to a powermeasuring module 350. The power measuring module 350 can measure anoutput level of the signal provided by the amplifier 230. In oneembodiment, the power measuring module 350 may include a meter formeasuring power. The power measuring module 350 may, in one embodiment,attenuate the signal before measuring the power.

A control input terminal of the switch 340 is coupled to a terminal ofthe control unit 310. A (control) signal provided by the control unit310 to the control input terminal of the switch 340 causes the switch340 to provide a signal either through its first output terminal to theantenna port 248 or through its second output terminal to the powermeasuring module 350. As described below, during a normal operationmode, the switch 340 provides the signal at its input terminal to theantenna port 248 for transmission to an access terminal 155 (see FIG.1). During a calibration mode, the switch 340 provides the signal at itsinput terminal to the power measuring module 350. In one embodiment, theswitch 340 may be a multiplexer.

It should be appreciated that the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 3 isexemplary in nature, and that, in alternative embodiments, various otherarrangements may be employed without deviating from the spirit and scopeof the invention. In one embodiment, the remote control terminal 113 ofFIG. 1 may communicate substantially directly with the PMA module 150,without the intermediate CRC 215. In one embodiment, the PMA module 150may include one or more buses for interconnecting the various elementsof the PMA module 150. Similarly, other arrangements may be employedthat are consistent with the spirit and scope of the describedinvention.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a flow diagram of a method for remotelymonitoring and calibrating the RF transmit power of one or morecomponents of the base station 200 (see FIG. 2) is illustrated, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Initially, itis assumed that the base station 200 is operating in a normal mode andis transmitting and receiving voice and/or data from the accessterminals 155 (see FIG. 1). During the normal operation mode, the signalfrom the amplifier 230 is provided by the switch 340 to the antenna 250via the antenna port 248. If a technician wishes to monitor and/oradjust the transmit power level for a given CBR 225, then the signalfrom the switch 340 is directed to the power measuring module 350instead of the antenna port 248. For the purposes of this discussion,the CBR 225 that the technician desires to monitor and/or adjust ishereinafter referred to as the “target CBR.”

To monitor and, if desired adjust, the power level associated with thetarget CBR 225, the technician, using the remote control terminal 113(see FIG. 1), first deactivates (at 401) one or more of the other CBRs225. In one embodiment, all of the CBRs 225 other than the target CBR isdeactivated. In an alternative embodiment, only those CBRs 225 that arein the same sector as the target CBR are deactivated. In one embodiment,each CBR 225 in the base station 200 may have a unique identifier (e.g.,address) by which it can be accessed from the remote control terminalunit 113. This allows the technician the option to activate ordeactivate the desired CBRs 225.

Once the desired CBRs 225 are deactivated, the technician transmits (at405) a request to the base station 200 to provide a transmit power levelassociated with the target CBR 225. The request, in the illustratedembodiment, is provided to the PMA module 150 that is associated withthe CBR 225 for which the power levels are to be monitored and/oradjusted. For example, if the technician is interested in monitoring thepower levels associated with the first CBR 225(1) of the second cellmodule 210(2), then the remote control terminal 113 provides the requestto the PMA module 150 (via the CRC 215) of the first cell module 210(1).The request is provided to the PMA module 150 of the first cell module210(1) because the target CBR (i.e., the first CBR 225(1) of the secondcell module 210(2)) is associated with the alpha sector, and the alphasector signals, in the illustrated embodiment, are handled by the PMAmodule 150 of the first cell module 210(1). For ease of illustration, itis herein assumed that the technician desires to monitor and calibratethe power level associated with the first CBR 225(1) of the second cellmodule 210(2) (i. e., the target CBR is the first CBR 225(1) of thesecond cell module 210(2)).

Because the target CBR belongs to the alpha sector in the illustratedembodiment, the CRC 215 of the first cell module 210(1) receives (at410) the request and provides it to the appropriate PMA module 150 (inthis example, the PMA module 150 associated with the first cell module210(1)). The power monitoring module 320 (see FIG. 3) of the PMA module150, upon detecting the request from the CRC 215, causes the controlunit 310 to provide a signal to the control input terminal of the switch340. The control unit 310 directs (at 415) the switch 340 to provide thesignal that it receives from target CBR 225 (via the amplifier 230) tothe power measuring module 350 (instead of the antenna port 248).

The power measuring module 350 measures (at 420) the power level of thesignal provided by the target CBR 225(1) of the second cell module210(2) via the amplifier 230 of the first cell module 210(1). In oneembodiment, measuring (at 420) the power level of the signal maycomprise measuring the power level of one or more of the channels (e.g.,pilot, synchronization, paging, traffic, etc.,) associated with thetarget CBR 225, which in the illustrated example is the first CBR 225(1)of the second cell module 210(2).

The power monitoring module 320 provides (at 425) the measured powerlevel to the remote control terminal 113. The technician situated at theremote control terminal 113, upon reviewing the measured power level,determines (at 430) if it is within an acceptable range. The acceptablerange may be defined by a specification of the base station 200. In analternative embodiment, instead of the technician, the PMA module 150may determine (at 430) if the measured power level is within anacceptable range. The PMA module 150 may make such a determination basedon pre-stored acceptable power level values in the storage unit 315 (seeFIG. 3), or, alternatively, based on an acceptable power level rangeprovided by the technician.

If it is determined (at 430) that the measured power level is within theacceptable range, then the calibration process is complete (at 435). If,on the other, the measured power level is outside the acceptable range,then the technician may adjust (at 440) the power level to a desiredlevel using the remote control terminal 113. This may be accomplished inone of several ways. In one embodiment, the power level may be adjustedby transmitting a request from the remote control terminal 113 to theCRC 215 to adjust the power level of the target CBR 225 to the desiredlevel. In alternative embodiment, a request may be transmitted to thePMA module 150, which then instructs the CRC 215 to adjust the powerlevel of the target CBR 225 to the desired level. In one embodiment,adjusting the power level of the target CBR 225 may comprise adjustingthe power level of one or more of the channels associated with thetarget CBR 225.

For illustrative purposes, it is herein assumed that the technicianprovides a request to the PMA module 150 (via the CRC 215) to adjust thepower level of the target CBR 225 to the desired level. Once the requestis transmitted, the power adjusting module 325 of the PMA module 150receives the request from the remote control terminal 113, and based onthe request, indicates, in one embodiment, to the CRC 215 to adjust theattenuation level of the CBR 225. The direction in which the attenuationlevel is adjusted depends on the measured power level. Thus, forexample, if the measured power level (at 420) was higher than desired,then the power adjusting module 325 of the PMA module 150 instructs theCRC 215 to increase the attenuation level of the target CBR 225 todecrease the transmit power level. Conversely, if the measured powerlevel (at 420) was lower than desired, then the CRC 215 is directed todecrease the attenuation level of the target CBR 225 to increase thetransmit power level.

In one embodiment, one or more steps of the method of FIG. 4 may berepeated as desired after the power level is adjusted. That is, thetechnician may wish to verify that, after adjusting the attenuationlevel of the target CBR 225, the transmit power level of the target CBR225 is within an acceptable range. This may be accomplished bymonitoring the transmit power level of the target CBR 225 after theattenuation level has been adjusted.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, atechnician can remotely monitor, and if desired, adjust the power levelof the target CBR 225 of the base station 200. As such, the ability toremotely calibrate the transmit power reduces the need of dispatchingtechnicians to the physical location of the base station 200, therebyreducing the time required to perform power calibration procedures.Moreover, because calibration is automated, the possibility of errors isreduced in comparison to the conventional, manual techniques ofcalibration.

While the present invention is described in the context of the basestation 111 (see FIG. 1) operating in a wireless communications system,it should be appreciated that the one or more embodiments of the presentinvention may also be applicable to other types of transmitters, such asan access point or a router of a wireless communications system, a basestation of a cordless telephone system, and the like.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various system layers,routines, or modules illustrated in the various embodiments herein maybe executable control units (such as the control unit 310 (see FIG. 3)).The control unit 310 may include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, adigital signal processor, a processor card (including one or moremicroprocessors or controllers), or other control or computing devices.The storage devices referred to in this discussion may include one ormore machine-readable storage media for storing data and instructions.The storage media may include different forms of memory includingsemiconductor memory devices such as dynamic or static random accessmemories (DRAMs or SRAMs), erasable and programmable read-only memories(EPROMs), electrically erasable and programmable read-only memories(EEPROMs) and flash memories; magnetic disks such as fixed, floppy,removable disks; other magnetic media including tape; and optical mediasuch as compact disks (CDs) or digital video disks (DVDs). Instructionsthat make up the various software layers, routines, or modules in thevarious systems may be stored in respective storage devices. Theinstructions when executed by a respective control unit 310 causes thecorresponding system to perform programmed acts.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as theinvention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalentmanners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of theteachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to thedetails of construction or design herein shown, other than as describedin the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particularembodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all suchvariations are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention.Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the claimsbelow.

1. A method, comprising: receiving, at a base station from a mobileswitching center, a request to provide a power level of a signalgenerated by a transmitting component of the base station for a cellularnetwork communications system; measuring, at the base station, the powerlevel of the signal generated by the transmitting component in responseto receiving the request from the mobile switching center; andproviding, from the base station to the mobile switching center, themeasured power level.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein communicationbetween the base station and the mobile switching center comprisesHigh-level Data Link Control (HDLC); wherein the base station comprisesat least one power monitor and adjustment (PMA) module adapted to handleone or more requests from the remote unit, wherein the power monitor andadjustment module comprises a switch adapted to toggle at least oneinput port between a calibration mode of operation and a normal mode ofoperation, wherein the power monitor and adjustment module is adapted toprovide a signal to a power measuring module adapted to measure power;wherein measuring the power level comprises measuring the power level ofat least two communication channels; and further determining if themeasured power level is within an acceptable range, wherein determiningcomprises at least one of comparing the measured power level to apre-defined value at the power monitor adjustment module, comparing, atthe power monitor adjustment module, the measured power level to a rangeof acceptable values provided by the remote unit, and comparing themeasured power level to a value at the remote unit.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, further comprising receiving a request from the mobileswitching center to adjust a power level of an output signal provided bythe transmitting component in response to determining that the measuredpower level is outside the acceptable range.
 4. The method of claim 2,further comprising adjusting the power level of an output signalprovided by the transmitting component in response to determining thatthe measured power level is outside the acceptable range.
 5. The methodof claim 4, wherein adjusting the power level comprises attenuating theoutput signal provided by the transmitting component by a pre-selectedamount in response to determining that the measured power level ishigher than desired.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein adjusting thepower level comprises decreasing an amount of attenuation applied to theoutput signal provided by the transmitting component by a pre-selectedamount in response to determining that the measured power level is lowerthan desired.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmittingcomponent is a baseband radio and wherein signal provided by thebaseband radio is deliverable to one of an antenna port and a powermeter, and wherein measuring the power level comprises directing thesignal provided by the baseband radio to the power meter in response toreceiving the request from the mobile switching center.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the transmitting component is a baseband radio, andwherein measuring the power level comprises measuring the power level ofat least one of a paging channel, synchronization channel, accesschannel, traffic channel, and pilot channel.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein the communications protocol is a high-level data link controlprotocol.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the base station comprisesat least a second transmitting component, wherein measuring the powerlevel comprises deactivating the second transmitting component beforemeasuring the power level.
 11. An article comprising one or moremachine-readable storage media containing instructions that whenexecuted enable a processor to: receive, at a base station, a requestfrom a mobile switching center to indicate a power level of a signalprovided by a transmitting component of the base station; measure, atthe base station, a power level of the signal in response to receivingthe request from the mobile switching center; determine, at the basestation, if the measured power level is at an acceptable level; andadjust, at the base station, a power level of an output signal providedby the transmitting component by a pre-selected level in response todetermining that the measured power level is not at the acceptablelevel.
 12. The article of claim 11, wherein the instructions whenexecuted enable the processor to increase the power of the output signalby decreasing an amount of attenuation that is applied to the outputsignal.
 13. The article of claim 11, wherein the instructions whenexecuted enable the processor to decrease the power of the output signalby attenuating the output signal by a pre-selected amount.
 14. Thearticle of claim 11, wherein the instructions when executed enable theprocessor to receive the request over a communications protocol from amobile services switching station associated with the base station. 15.The article of claim 11, wherein the transmitting component is abaseband radio and wherein a signal provided by the baseband radio isdeliverable to one of an antenna port and a power meter, wherein theinstructions when executed enable the processor to direct the signalprovided by the baseband radio to the power meter in response toreceiving the request from the mobile switching center.
 16. Anapparatus, comprising a base station, the apparatus comprising: aninterface adapted to receive a request from a mobile switching center toprovide a transmit power level of a first component of the base station;and a control unit communicatively coupled to the interface, the controlunit adapted to: determine a power level of an output signal of thefirst component in response to the request; and provide the determinedpower level of the output signal of the first component to the mobileswitching center.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the outputsignal comprises at least one of a paging channel, synchronizationsignal, traffic channel, access channel, and pilot channel, and whereinthe control unit is further adapted to determine if the measured powerlevel is at an acceptable level.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, whereinthe control is further adapted to adjust a power level of an outputsignal provided by the transmitting component by a pre-selected level inresponse to determining that the measured power level is not at theacceptable level.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the controlunit is adapted to adjust the power level by adjusting an amount ofattenuation that is applied to the output signal.
 20. The apparatus ofclaim 16, further comprising a power meter, wherein the control unit isadapted to provide the output signal of the first component to the powermeter.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a switch deviceadapted to receive the output signal from the first component andadapted to provide the output signal to at least one of an antenna portand the power meter in response to receiving a signal from the controlunit.
 22. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the base station comprisesa second component, and wherein the control unit is adapted todeactivate the second component of the base station before determiningthe power level of the output signal of the first component.
 23. Theapparatus of claim 22, wherein the first component is a baseband radioassociated with an alpha sector of a first carrier and the secondcomponent is a baseband radio associated with the alpha sector of asecond carrier.
 24. A communications system, comprising: a mobileswitching center adapted to provide a request to calibrate a transmitpower level; a base station for a cellular communications systemcommunicatively coupled to the mobile switching center, the base stationadapted to: receive the request; measure a power level of a signalprovided by a transmitting component; determine if the measured powerlevel is at an acceptable level; and adjust a power level of an outputsignal provided by the transmitting component by a pre-selected level inresponse to determining that the measured power level is not at theacceptable level.
 25. The system of claim 24 wherein the base station isadapted to provide a three-carrier, three-sector coverage.
 26. Thesystem of claim 24 wherein the base station is adapted to provide asix-carrier, six-sector coverage.
 27. The system of claim 24, whereinthe base station is associated with at least one of a local area networkand a cordless communications system.
 28. An apparatus, comprising abase station, the apparatus comprising: means for receiving, at the basestation, a request from a mobile switching center to provide a powerlevel associated with a transmitting component, wherein the request istransmitted over a communications protocol; means for measuring, at thebase station, a power level of a signal provided by the transmittingcomponent in response to receiving the request from the mobile switchingcenter; and means for providing, from the base station, the measuredpower level to the mobile switching center over the communicationsprotocol.